INSIDE SLANT
NFL Team Report - Carolina Panthers
Newton out, Heinicke in as Panthers QB Cam Newton's ailing shoulder has become a distraction for the Carolina Panthers and detriment at times to the offense as a whole. Newton was finally willing to divulge some of the challenges he has been playing with, something he revealed more openly after the 12-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints.With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Panthers are likely to shut down the former NFL Most Valuable Player for the rest of the season. "I think the frustration comes when you do any and everything to make sure your body is at peak performance," Newton said. "I think it's disheartening to me because there's so much invested time put in. ... I have to better. That's what's so frustrating. You want it so bad and you push." By Wednesday, head coach Ron Rivera said Taylor Heinicke would be making his first start of the season and the Panthers would give Newton a chance to recover without any additional stress on the shoulder. Yet the Panthers don't want to fold on the season, given that despite a six-game losing streak there's still a chance to reach the NFC playoffs as a wild-card entry. A lot would have to go right for that to happen, including getting back on the winning path when the Atlanta Falcons visit for Sunday afternoon's home finale. Rivera said whether to pull Newton from his role was a conversation that he wasn't looking forward to. He said Newton accepted the decision because he acknowledged the pain and ensuing frustrations. Newton's arm strength tends to be at issue. He can't throw down field with any regularity or with much confidence. Against New Orleans, he underthrew a pass late in the first half that resulted in an interception in the end zone, negating what appeared to be at least a chance to get a field goal. Rivera's status beyond this season also appears to be in question. With new owner David Tepper less than a year in his new capacity, there appears to be no guarantees on how a decision about Rivera might be made. Players say they've taken responsibility for the team's shortcomings. They also say they haven't lost their motivation to reach the playoffs. "To fight for each other," defensive end Mario Addison said. "It's a brotherhood. Do it for yourself and do it for the man beside you. For me, I wanted to win (these recent games) for Coach Rivera because he believes in us like nobody else." SERIES HISTORY: 48th regular-season meeting. Falcons lead series, 29-18. That includes a 31-24 home victory in September for the Falcons, who've won five of the last six meetings overall.
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